03.18.09
Isaiah - Day 237
Scripture: Isaiah 13:6 (NIV): "Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty."
Thought: To me, very few "days" are left before the LORD's Day comes!
Question: Will I wail at the "day of the LORD"?
What is "destruction from the Almighty" like? Can we even imagine? If we read biblical descriptions of His destruction we will find, among other things, cataclysmic upheavals in nature, normal patterns of seasons and weather disrupted, the ever-reliable light of the sun and moon compromised, the mountains of rock levelled, the seas and fresh water sources filled with blood and deep, mysterious stores within the earth opened letting who-knows-what up to the surface of the planet (portions of Revelation 6, 8, 9 and 16). And there is much more I have not mentioned here, especially in the minor prophets and Ezekiel.
It indeed causes one to "wail"! Faced with such widespread disaster and totally uncontrollable circumstances, people can do nothing else but moan and cry out in utter despair! This is "the day of the LORD"!
Why is the "LORD's day" so filled with evil and destruction? How can this come from a God of goodness and love? It is a venting of His wrath regarding us. It is His day of judgment for mankind's sins. What men sow, they will reap back from God.
Notice that in this context, (the judgment against Babylon, the enemy of Israel), the elements God permits to befall "the whole country" (yesterday's verse) are "like destruction from the Almighty". In other words, there is one grand and final day when God's destruction will not have ever been matched or equalled (The Great Tribulation); but this destruction (of Babylon at this point in history during Isaiah's day) is "like" it: a "mini" destruction, as it were, at the hand of God--a sample of the ultimate "day" yet to come.
Looking to Joel 1:15 (NIV) we read, "Alas for that day! For the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty." The King James version says "Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." "Like" or "as", they both signify a comparison of destructions. Babylon's judgment in Isaiah's day may have been smaller in scope than The Great Tribulation of Revelation will prove to be, but the similarity is that God's hand is in it! And if God's hand is in it, we ought to be thoroughly attentive to the warning!
Prayer: Great God of destruction, You Who bring back the consequences of all our unconfessed sins, hear our prayers! Help us to confess our sins and receive the forgiveness You have promised in and through Your Son, Jesus Christ, before it is too late. Put fear into those of us who need it, Lord; those of us who are not heeding Your warnings appropriately. Help us to turn to You today while there is still time. Amen.
Sharlay : Day of destruction "Isaiah-Day 237"
03/19/2009, at 19:35 [ Reply ]
This is my first time blogging, but I could not help but to comment on this subject. I am in total agreement with God's word concerning judgement and destruction. I have been a serious "born again christian" since 1994. I grew up in church, but was just there because I had to be. I appreciate the prayer asking the Lord "to put fear in us who need it." I was once told by a friend that we should come to the Lord based on our Love for Him and even though God does not give us the Spirit of fear....I do believe that fear is a sensor that God instilled in us to use as a survival mechanism, even spiritually. I have had plenty of struggles during my walk with Christ and I am now in the throws of forever learning His ways and He is teaching me how to love Him. God is a God of Justice and has given the world plenty of time to repent continuously. I echo the prayer whole-heartedly. In Jesus Name-Amen